Cole Hocker emerged from the middle of the pack with a huge final kick to win gold in a stunning upset for Team USA in the men’s 1,500 meter race.
Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the 2020 gold medalist, led for much of the race, but Hocker and Britain’s Josh Kerr moved to the front during a dramatic final lap around the Stade de France.
Kerr led as the group entered the final stretch but was overtaken by Hocker just before the line. American Yared Nuguse finished third for bronze.
Hocker’s 3:27.65 marked an Olympic record and obliterated his personal best time by nearly three seconds.
The 23-year-old Indianapolis native, who finished sixth in the same event at the Olympics three years ago, had won silver at the 2024 World Indoor Championships but was not expected to compete for gold at this race.
For much of the race, he didn’t look to be in the mix either.
Cole Hocker wins the men’s 1500 meter race at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 6, 2024. Getty Images
The overhead view of Cole Hocker winning. AP2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
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Cole Hocker draped in the American flag after winning gold on Aug. 6, 2024. AP“This may be an upset to a lot of people, but if you’ve been following my season, you knew I was capable of it,” Hocker told reporters. “But still, things had to go my way today.”
The U.S. already has won five golds and 16 medals in the athletics competitions, both of which lead the field by a healthy margin.
